RadioTimes.com is here with a handy update on which characters are leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders in the coming months, not least the recent exit of Shona McGarty as Whitney Dean after 16 years.
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So who’s in? Who’s out? And which rumours are true? Read on for all the latest details on cast changes for EastEnders.
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The full present regular cast for EastEnders can be found below in order of the character’s first appearance.
Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell)
When is Bobby Beale leaving? 2024.
Reports emerged on 15th April 2024 that Clay Milner Russell would leave EastEnders after five years on the BBC One soap.
The BBC later confirmed the news, who said to The Sun: “We can confirm that Clay will be leaving EastEnders later this year, and we wish him the best for the future.”
The publication went on to explain that the young actor was seeking new challenges away from EastEnders and that he wanted to play different types of roles.
In good news for fans, the door has reportedly been left open for Bobby (and Clay) to return in the future.
Will Bobby’s girlfriend Anna Knight be heartbroken by his departure or will it be Bobby leaving with a broken heart?
The return of his adopted mother Jane and the memory of his sister Lucy look set to play a major role in his exit story.
Jane Beale (Laurie Brett)
When is Jane Beale leaving? 2024
Ian Beale’s ex-wife and Bobby’s adopted mother Jane Beale made a surprise return to the soap in July 2024.
However, it has been confirmed that Jane is only back for a short stint. Could she play a vital role in Bobby’s exit storyline? Jane has starred in three episodes so far, but is this the last we’ll see of her?
Actress Laurie Brett said of her short return: “It’s been so long since we last saw Jane that I was keen to know what the story would be to bring her back. So, I had a meeting with Chris Clenshaw (executive producer), and he laid out the story for me and why they’d love me to be a part of it. By the end of that chat, I was in.
“I was excited to work with Adam again, as well as Michelle and Clay. It was also great to be reunited with Thomas Law, who I’ve known since he was a child – although these days, I have to look up to speak to Tom, and I’m tall myself! It was just lovely.”
Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry)
When is Nish Panesar leaving? 2024
It appears that nasty Nish Panesar is set to receive a final comeuppance as actor Navin Chowdhry bows out of the BBC One soap.
It’s been reported via The Sun that actor Chowdhry has quit the BBC soap after two years, with the publication quoting a source as saying: “It’s not known if Nish will be killed off, even though his health is suffering, but expect the exit to be very impactful and dramatic.
“Navin has made quite the impact on the show in the two years he has been a part of it, especially as a key part of the huge Christmas storyline with The Six. He’ll be missed by cast, crew and viewers alike.”
RadioTimes.com has reached out to the BBC for comment on this storyline.
RETURNING
Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer)
When is Bianca Jackson returning? 23rd September 2024.
Patsy Palmer is set to reprise her role as Bianca Jackson once again in EastEnders later this year after last being seen on-screen in June 2024.
The BBC One soap confirmed Bianca would return as a woman on a mission following her abrupt exit amid suffering from depression and clashing with sister Sonia over Reiss Colwell.
Now Bianca is back as a woman on a mission and she wants to free her sister Sonia and bring down Reiss!
However, little does B know that her father David Wicks is hot on her tail…
David Wicks (Michael French)
When is David Wicks returning? Autumn 2024.
Walford icon David Wicks will return for a short stint on EastEnders later this year as actor Michael French reprises his role.
David is famously the son of Pat Butcher (Pam St. Clement) and Pete Beale (Peter Dean), the half-brother of both Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Simon Wicks (Nick Berry), the former lover of Ian’s wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), and the father of fellow Walford icon Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) and his children with former wife Lorraine Wicks (Jacqueline Leonard) – Joe (Paul Nicholls) and Karen Wicks.
In his most recent stint in Walford, David had a romantic reconciliation with Bianca’s mother and his childhood sweetheart Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) amid her journey with breast cancer and they became engaged, however, their romance broke down as their wedding fell apart.
Discussing his return as David Wicks after a decade away, actor Michael French said: “I feel honoured to be asked to reprise the role of David Wicks once again. It may only be a brief visit, but we know from his past that David never fails to create a lot of drama in a very short time.”
Meanwhile, executive producer Chris Clenshaw added: “David Wicks is undoubtedly one of EastEnders’ most beloved rogues, and we are thrilled to welcome the talented Michael French back to the legendary role as we lead up to the show’s 40th anniversary. David’s character was never shy of drama during his previous stints, and I can assure you this return will be no different.”
Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton)
When is Ruby Allen returning? Late 2024.
Martin Fowler is set to have a shock when his ex-wife Ruby Allen returns to Walford later this year.
Louisa Lytton is reprising her role as Stacey Slater’s former best pal and love rival after three years away. Ruby was last seen leaving Walford secretly pregnant after being sent to prison as a comeuppance for framing Stacey for GBH.
Ruby is said to be returning for a prolonged stint on the show, so we’ll soon find out what Ruby’s motives are as she brings new chaos to Martin and Stacey’s lives.
Speaking about her comeback, Lytton said: “I am thrilled to have been asked back to the Square to revisit Ruby once more, and to shed some light on what the past three years have been like for her during her time away from Walford.
“I’ve always loved playing Ruby as there is never a dull moment and I cannot wait for everyone to see what Ruby has in store.”
Chris Clenshaw, EastEnders’ Executive Producer, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Louisa Lytton back to the role of Ruby Allen.
“Ruby’s departure from Walford left many unanswered questions for Martin and Stacey, and her return is sure to unearth a whole heap of drama for her character and all those involved.”
Shirley Carter (Linda Henry)
When is Shirley Carter returning to EastEnders? TBC.
EastEnders fan-favourite Shirley Carter made a surprise departure from Walford just after Christmas in 2022 following the apparent death of her son Mick Carter.
Deciding that there was nothing left for her in Walford, Shirley walked out of the Square with Lady Di the dog to stay with daughter Carly Wicks and her family, having said goodbye to friends Jean Slater and Denise Fox.
We then heard of Shirley in February 2023 when we learned that she had also reunited with her previously estranged son Dean Wicks off-screen, the man who had raped Mick’s true love, Linda Carter.
When Dean made his horrific return on Halloween, he claimed that Shirley had experienced a mental breakdown and had been institutionalised and after Linda wasn’t in contact with her, changed her number and wanted nothing to do with her.
Linda was distrustful of Dean’s claims but was unable to get through to Shirley, meaning her fate remains mysterious.
Actress Linda Henry is taking an extended break from the show and has been off our screens for approaching two years. Since then, Shirley’s son Dean finally admitted that he raped Linda Carter back in 2014 and has now been sentenced to nine years in prison.
However, the BBC confirmed to RadioTimes.com at the time of her exit that Shirley had not left the soap for good and would return.
Chris Clenshaw also told us in Autumn 2023: “So, Linda Henry is currently taking a break from the show.
“But you know, when she walked off with Lady Di last year, in the wake of Mick’s disappearance, it won’t have been the last you see of her. I can say that for sure.”
Will we ever see Shirley Carter again?
Which characters departed EastEnders in 2024?
